A visit to the Taronga Zoo (official website) is a must do in Sydney. The trip involves a ferry ride across the harbor and a gondola ride to the top of the hill (not to mention the train ride to get to the ferry).

In addition to a beautiful layout and lots of animals from around the world, the Taronga Zoo features the amazing fauna of Australia.  Known for cuteness (koalas & bilbies) and cool names (wombats, wallabies, bandicoots, etc.), Aussie critters are in fact some of the deadliest on earth (ie. the spiders & snakes we saw). And we learned that even koalas aren’t something you’d want to cuddle (and vice versa).

This first set of pix shows the ferry ride, the gondola ride, kangaroos, Tasmanian devils, baby wallabies, an emu, lemurs, the jungle walk/ropes course, a cool play structure, etc…

This set features meerkats, turtles, lizards, snakes, the bird show, and more. (Can you identify the species of turtles, lizards, and snakes?)

Two more shows we saw were about about seals & spiders – here they are, along with koi, koalas, gorillas, deer, and a kangaroo with a joey, etc…

The last batch shows the old sign above the lower entrance, a red panda, the seal tank, birds, a penguin, and some of the spectacular views of Sydney from the zoo…

Study Questions:

1. Go back and research some of the links at the top. First discuss the history of the Taronga Zoo (which turned 100 years old in 2016).
2. Go back and research some of the links again. Next discuss the fauna of Australia. What makes it so unique compared to other continents?
3. Now research Marsupials. What makes them so unique compared to other mammals? Be specific about reproductive equipment, processes, timelines, etc.
4. On your own research deadly animals. How many come from Australia? Which are the deadliest and how so, that is which one would be the worst way to die? I know that is a morbid question, but it’s very scientific!
5. What’s your favorite animal at the Taronga Zoo and why?